Independent Future Executive Senior Sales Director Diana Fraustro, the Rio Grande Valley area and the Rio Grande Valley Vipers basketball team launched a winning streak: their first Pink for a PurposeSM Fundraising Night resulted in a slam dunk!
Center circle never looked better as the Vipers, the NBA Development League affiliate of the NBA Houston Rockets and 2010 NBA D-League Champions, showed off their playing skills while wearing pink headbands, shirts, and shoelaces. Even the coaching staff got into the act sporting pink ties for the March 10, 2010, event at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas.
“The Vipers were amazing to work with,” says Diana. “They were excited to do this and really went above and beyond. It was an awesome experience that I will never forget!”
Vipers generously sold game tickets at half price, giving 50 percent of the proceeds to benefit The Mary Kay FoundationSM. Bronze, silver and gold sponsorships boosted fundraising to an astounding $4,931 for the Foundation.
Most Valuable Players included: Independent Senior Sales Director Maggie Hammond, who assembled a booth to educate fans about the Foundation’s work; Independent Sales Director Allison Arrango, who obtained the most sponsors; and Independent Senior Sales Director Nancy King, who organized the give-away of 1,000 custom pink shirts.
The area donated 65 game tickets and pink shirts to Mujeres Unidas/Women Together Agency, a previous Foundation shelter grant recipient which provides shelter and programs to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Hidalgo and Starr Counties. More than 30 game tickets and shirts also went to the Rio Grande Valley Soccer Association for young girls. Sales Directors also filled goodie bags with Mary Kay® products for the cheerleaders and the Vipers.
"There was a complete banding together of the Sales Directors and Beauty Consultants,” states Independent National Sales Director Julie Krebsbach, who delivered a rousing pre-game motivational talk. “I saw pride in their eyes as they represented the Company and realized how much of a difference they really could make. I was in awe of their camaraderie.”
Many memorable highlights enhanced the event. The Vipers’ Snake Charmers dance team performed the Pink Cadillac dance, along with several Sales Directors and cancer survivors. Topping the evening off, six-time All-Star and Houston Rockets center Yao Ming attended the game and helped present the check to benefit the Foundation!
“It was a wonderful night for all of us with Yao Ming,” says Brian Cooper, former president of the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. “Working with The Mary Kay FoundationSM was very exciting for the Vipers. We felt proud to have it all come together so successfully.”
“Everyone in the Vipers’ organization was involved—the players and the coaches went all out on their own initiative,” comments Shulmith Muthyala, Vipers’ vice president of ticket sales. “We have all been touched by the Foundation’s causes. This wasn’t work at all. It was more about how we could come together to help.”
“People were excited about Mary Kay being involved,” adds Diana. “It was so much fun. We’re all looking forward to taking our game to new heights next year!”